BRASILIA, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Cruzeiro claimed the second straight victory in Brasileiro championship on Saturday as they beat Botafogo from Rio de Janeiro 1-0.

    The soccer team from Belo Horizonte now stands alone atop the leader board with six points.

    For Botafogo, Saturday was their first loss of the championship.

    Due to Botafogo's game on Wednesday in the semifinals of the Brazilian Cup against Corinthians, head coach Cuca decided to use a mixture of reserves and starters for Saturday's match against Cruzeiro.

    Cuca only started five regulars: Renato Silva, Leandro Guerreiro, Diguinho and Wellington Paulista, and goalkeeper Castillo.

    Cruzeiro got off to a fast start, scoring their first and only goal of the day in the 12th minute after Botafogo's Leandro Guerreiro committed a rough foul on Wagner, resulting in a point kick.

    Guilherme took the penalty and succeeded in entrapping Uruguayan goalkeeper Castillo.

    The second half was uneventful as the quality of play fell considerably.

    Botafogo's Tulio Souza was expelled from the game in the 17th minute of the second half after receiving his second yellow card, but Cruzeiro did not capitalize on their on-field advantage.

    Without any dangerous shots or attempts to score, the game ended with the score of 1-0.

    In next week's third round of the Brasileiro championship, Cruzeiro will host Santos in hopes of receiving their ninth point of this year's tournament. Botafogo will play at Vasco next Sunday.